There is no denying that bread baking as with baking anything is a delicate process.
Bread baking involves so many things that first time bakers are often discouraged after a few failed attempts to turn out professional looking and tasting loaves.
Little do they realize that if they only possessed the professional Baker's secrets bread baking would be so easy that the bread would practically make itself!
For instance: How many amateur bakers know the secret to keeping bread from sticking to the pan every time?
None! So when they try their hand at bread baking for the first time their bread sticks to the bread pan, and ends up a crumbled mess if they try to force it out.
Then they cry and give up thinking that the problem lies with them.
The shocking truth is that it doesn't!
The problem lies with their lack of knowledge of THE baker's bread baking secret.
The secret professional chefs and bakers won't tell you, the secret they guard so jealously.
My father happened to learn this bread baking secret in his younger baking days (which is no surprise since his great great grandfather was a chef for the White House and owned his own bakery) and has passed it on to his children ever since.
Okay, okay, I know you're probably screaming at me by now "Beth, get on with it! Tell us the bread baking secret already!"
So here it is; You will need only one tool besides for the oil and bread pan you already have, and that is quite simply cornmeal (you shouldn't need more than 1/4 to 1/2 cup for two loaves of bread).
"Cornmeal?" you ask doubtfully. "YES, cornmeal!"
No, you do not add the cornmeal to the bread ingredients! That is not the bread baking secret.
What you do is you oil your pan as usual, and you lightly sprinkle cornmeal on all of the sides and bottom inside of the bread pan.
Now you can safely place your bread dough into the pans without fear of it sticking to them.
While your bread is baking, instead of sticking to the pan, your bread will stick to the cornmeal and slide easily out of the pan when done baking.
You may need to use a butter knife and slide it in between the pan and the bread before turning the pan over and allowing your bread to pop out.
A lot of the time this will be unnecessary however and your bread will pop out just by your turning the bread pan upside down.
You will probably also want to use the butter knife to scrape the excess cornmeal off the bottom and sides of the bread as you may not care for the taste of cornmeal.
This bread baking secret will work whether you're baking a batter bread or a rising bread (also called yeast bread). I personally use it for both.
Here is another treasured bread baking secret, this one only for batter breads:
On the last ten minutes of its baking time cover the bread pan containing the batter bread with another bread pan (a steel bread pan works best), and leave it on until the bread is finished baking.
This will keep the batter bread from burning or becoming too hard on top. You may vary the time you leave the steel bread pan on according to how your batter bread usually looks when it is finished.
If it is a very dark brown on top and difficult to slice because the top is so hard, then 20 minutes will work best. But if it is just a little too hard on top and a little too brown the 10 minutes should suffice.
Do not cover the bread at all if it usually comes out golden and soft on top after the baking is completed.
You may also glaze a batter bread on top with a tablespoon of melted butter mixed with a tablespoon of honey, and sprinkle some flaked coconut or sliced nuts on top of that.
To glaze you start by taking the bread out of the oven five minutes before the required baking time is finished, then spread the butter/honey mixture on top of the bread, sprinkle on your coconut or chopped nuts and bake for the remaining 5 minutes.
Here is another useful bread baking tip for rising breads:
If your bread loaves over rise (say because you were busy and forgot about them), then you can use a pair of scissors to cut off the excess sides, being careful not to cut any dough from off of the top.
You may then use this excess dough to make rolls. You simply oil a pizza or cookie sheet and form the dough into several small balls.
Rise them for another half hour and then bake on 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 15 to 20 minutes or until golden brown.
Do yourself a favor and put these tried and tested bread baking secrets immediately to use in your kitchen, and your family will rave over the results.
Get everything you need to help you plan the baby shower that you are going to have for Mommy-to-Be and get everything for free!
This Baby Shower Party Planning Package includes:
Pre-printed baby shower invitations that you can personalize, or the instructions and templates you can use for making your own, including matching mailing and return address labels
Pre-printed baby shower guest book pages, and options for putting together a baby shower guest book that can also be used by Mommy-to-Be for doing her thank-you cards
A baby shower table decoration idea that is easy to make following the illustrated instructions provided and matches the motif of the invitations and guest book
Pre-printed thank-you cards that Mommy-to-Be can use that also match the baby shower invitations and guest book
Baby shower games
More free printable baby shower clipart that you can use to make your own invitations, guest book pages, table decoration, banners, and thank you cards following the instructions that accompany the pre-printed versions!
You don't need anything special, and everything can be made using plain computer paper (although there are options for using card stock or postcard stock).
Each individual piece of the Baby Shower Party Planning Package comes with the links you need to download either the pre-printed items or the templates you can use to make your own. Each includes links to the other pieces of the package. However, all the links you will need for everything in the package are provided in the accompanying illustrated examples page, so you can simply bookmark that page and use it to guide you to everything you'll need.
Each article provides easy-to-follow, illustrated instructions for personalizing the pre-printed invitations and cards, how to complete the mailing labels, and how to make the table decoration. You can easily use these instructions to make your own, using the other clipart that is available at Mom's Break Baby Shower. You can also use the provided templates as guides to help you design your own cards and labels---even if you don't have card-making software!
Stay-at-home moms are no longer just the co-stars from
Leave It To Beaver, the Brady Bunch, and other television
shows from a bygone era. Taking care of the kids has become
the cool thing to do again for women in their 20s and 30s.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, there are at least
5.4 million stay-at-home parents in the United States
alone. These are a dynamic bunch of women, and men,
who see opportunities in their domestic role, especially
the opportunities presented by the Internet.
Leave It To Beaver, the Brady Bunch, and other television
shows from a bygone era. Taking care of the kids has become
the cool thing to do again for women in their 20s and 30s.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, there are at least
5.4 million stay-at-home parents in the United States
alone. These are a dynamic bunch of women, and men,
who see opportunities in their domestic role, especially
the opportunities presented by the Internet.
Sure, many of these parents gave up exciting careers and
important roles in their community to take up the
time-honored tradition of rearing their children.
You yourself may have put goals and dreams on the back
burner when you accepted the commitment and responsibility
of raising your little ones. You understand the importance
of a parent being there for those firsts: the first crawl,
the first step, the first "momma" and "dadda."
important roles in their community to take up the
time-honored tradition of rearing their children.
You yourself may have put goals and dreams on the back
burner when you accepted the commitment and responsibility
of raising your little ones. You understand the importance
of a parent being there for those firsts: the first crawl,
the first step, the first "momma" and "dadda."
At the same time, though, you may feel like you have taken
on too much. Not only do you have the pressures of bringing
up a smart, well-behaved child. You worry about being able
to make ends meet to provide everything your child needs.
on too much. Not only do you have the pressures of bringing
up a smart, well-behaved child. You worry about being able
to make ends meet to provide everything your child needs.
If this sounds all too familiar, take a deep breath, turn
off the television, and log online. No, don't think you're
going to surf the Web to just pass the time. The Internet
is your portal to transforming your stay-at-home life. In
between the diaper changes and feedings, bedtimes and
burpings, you can reach beyond the walls of your home and
access the outside world as never before. The benefits are
as close to limitless as the millions of sites on the Web,
including:
off the television, and log online. No, don't think you're
going to surf the Web to just pass the time. The Internet
is your portal to transforming your stay-at-home life. In
between the diaper changes and feedings, bedtimes and
burpings, you can reach beyond the walls of your home and
access the outside world as never before. The benefits are
as close to limitless as the millions of sites on the Web,
including:
o E-support system. Whether you're searching for other
stay-at-home moms to lean on, folks with the same health ailment as yourself, or even just other Oprah fanatics, the Internet is like one big community center where you can find them.
stay-at-home moms to lean on, folks with the same health ailment as yourself, or even just other Oprah fanatics, the Internet is like one big community center where you can find them.
o Friends and fun. Through e-mail, chat rooms, and instant
messaging, the Internet is one of the easiest ways to keep
in touch with old friends and family members, as well as
to meet new acquaintances.
messaging, the Internet is one of the easiest ways to keep
in touch with old friends and family members, as well as
to meet new acquaintances.
o Cyber community. Look for your neighborhood's Web site for information on shopping, festivals, town hall
meetings, and other local interests. If you can't find your
town's home on the Internet, take a leadership role in
creating it with the help of your neighbors.
meetings, and other local interests. If you can't find your
town's home on the Internet, take a leadership role in
creating it with the help of your neighbors.
o Cap and gown. Many community colleges and universities offer e-courses. You never need to step foot on the campus to earn degrees in finance, English, accounting, or
whatever else suit your fancy.
whatever else suit your fancy.
o Steals and deals. If you're looking for some of the
biggest discounts and best selection for anything from
electronics to groceries, books to automobiles, the Web
is your marketplace.
biggest discounts and best selection for anything from
electronics to groceries, books to automobiles, the Web
is your marketplace.
o Cash flow. The Internet can work for you, as well, if you
are on the other end of the cash register. The Web
provides an unparalleled avenue to sell goods. It can link
you to interested buyers if you're only looking to unload a
few knickknacks to unclutter your home. If you have enough
stuff to open a garage sale, you can do that, too, without
time or space constraints. Or try your hand at a full-time
online business if you get bit by the entrepreneurial bug.
are on the other end of the cash register. The Web
provides an unparalleled avenue to sell goods. It can link
you to interested buyers if you're only looking to unload a
few knickknacks to unclutter your home. If you have enough
stuff to open a garage sale, you can do that, too, without
time or space constraints. Or try your hand at a full-time
online business if you get bit by the entrepreneurial bug.
The Internet can open up the outside world to you for all
of these benefits, but you need the right set of keys to
open the door. Your first "key" is the type of Internet
access you use. You'll need to weigh your budget versus
how fast you want to navigate on the Web. Cable and DSL
hook ups provide zippy access but can cut into your profit
margins. Dial up, on the other, can be cheap or even free,
but can slow down your productivity.
of these benefits, but you need the right set of keys to
open the door. Your first "key" is the type of Internet
access you use. You'll need to weigh your budget versus
how fast you want to navigate on the Web. Cable and DSL
hook ups provide zippy access but can cut into your profit
margins. Dial up, on the other, can be cheap or even free,
but can slow down your productivity.
Once you have your hook up established, you'll need to
get your feet wet before you do heavy surfing. Find trusted
sites for your activities. Look for certified schools to
take courses at and secure shopping zones to purchase at.
When selling or starting your own business, do your
research to find the most trusted and thrifty auction and
classified sites. The right classified sites can be like
your neighborhood paper, except they reach millions of
people around the globe. In many cases, the best classified
sites will also charge no start up or transaction fees and
offer safe ways to communicate and do business with clients.
get your feet wet before you do heavy surfing. Find trusted
sites for your activities. Look for certified schools to
take courses at and secure shopping zones to purchase at.
When selling or starting your own business, do your
research to find the most trusted and thrifty auction and
classified sites. The right classified sites can be like
your neighborhood paper, except they reach millions of
people around the globe. In many cases, the best classified
sites will also charge no start up or transaction fees and
offer safe ways to communicate and do business with clients.
Settle these basics, and you can be virtually ensured to
become a true M.O.M, a master of multitasking. In the time
it takes your child to take a nap or watch an episode of
Blues Clues, you will be able to earn 4 more credits to
your finance degree, buy a new mp3 player, and sell a
closet's worth of stuff.
become a true M.O.M, a master of multitasking. In the time
it takes your child to take a nap or watch an episode of
Blues Clues, you will be able to earn 4 more credits to
your finance degree, buy a new mp3 player, and sell a
closet's worth of stuff.
Being a single Mom while trying to run a household has more than enough stress, let alone than when something breaks down. In my opinion, most Single Moms running a household accomplish more in one day, than most Men do in a week.
I am not trying to be prejudice towards Men because, after all I happen to be one. However, it amazes me at how much many single Mothers get accomplished in a day. Not only do many of them hold down full time jobs, but they also need to take care of their family as well. Usually their day starts off getting up early. Then feed the kids breakfast, pack their lunches, and get them off to school. All of this must accomplished before going to work herself. By then, I would be spent, and ready for a well deserved beer.
However for many single mothers their day is only beginning. After getting the kids dressed, fed and off to school hopefully there will be a few moments for herself before going to work. I bet that as hard as kids can be in the mornings, going to work would seem like a break to me.
After working all day she now must make sure the kids have arrived home from school safely, then cook and feed them dinner. Hopefully her kids are old enough to help clean up the kitchen. Next she will make sure there are plenty of clean clothes and, the kids have been bathed for the next school day. After dinner there is homework to get done. Plus whenever there is time, she must squeeze in grocery shopping, paying bills plus countless other duties I can't begin to think of. Many kids also have after school activities such as Sports, Band etc? Honestly, I have no clue how they do it.
I suppose if I was put in the same situation I could somehow find the strength to do it all but, I have my doubts. I find it hard enough to complete most tasks let alone, trying to raise a family on my own.
I grew up in a household with a Single Mom and although at the time I did not realize it, My Mother did a lot more than I ever gave her credit for. I wished she would have lived long enough for me to really show how much I appreciated what she did.
While I was growing up, one of things that would frustrate my Mother the most was when something need repair around the house. This literally would drive Mom nuts. This usually put my Mother in a bad mood and there was a lot of extra stress in the household until whatever it was that needed fixing had be dealt with.
I often analyzed this, and wondered why a plugged drain in a bathroom which we hardly used would bother her so much. Certainly we could all share one bathroom! Later in life I realized the frustrations she felt was because of the lack of knowledge, when it came to home repairs.
Usually not wanting to hire a contractor, she often depended on a married so called boyfriend to fix things for her. My Mother became a widow at a young age and I am sure she felt victimized. Life dealt her a tough blow ,and I was very young at the time so I was not much help. I often wondered if she compromised herself just to get things done or, did she really have any real interest in this guy. Back then there were not many resources for Women to learn as there are today and it was still a "Man's world" so to say.
In the last decade there has been an increase in the number of Single Women who are beginning to take on even more. Many Women today are learning how to repair the many common items around the house. Taking on challenges that were once thought of as "The Man's Work" is now becoming status quo. By educating themselves in these areas, Women are becoming stronger and more self confident. Even the media today portrays this on a regular basis and Single Women have become a new target market for advertisers.
"You've Come a Long Way Baby" was a phrase that maybe was ahead of it's time, But Not Anymore!
Father's Day, June 15, is just around the corner. It's that unique day when so many dads are treated like kings and honored by their kids with gifts of love, respect and admiration. There's no denying the need of a father in a child's life, and today there are many different labels for dads; step dad, divorced dad, single dad, Mr Mom dad, gay dad.
What they have in common is a positive impact on their kids' lives in terms of increased self-confidence, a strong sense of well-being, self-control, and success in school. While a small portion of deadbeat dads ruin the reputation of the majority, we would hope that these missing-in-action dads could be around for their kids. But it's also true that over 90% of dads believe that being a dad is one of the most important roles they could have. While celebrating Father's Day, we offer some insight into two of the most common blended family dads: the step dad and the divorced dad.
Step Dads
There may be a lot of confusion about the role of step dad since, as male head of the household, he has important financial and physical responsibilities, he cannot take for granted that he has those same rights and responsibilities with his step kids. He's not the birth dad and that distinction often causes tension, especially when he has every good intention of being a supportive husband and breadwinner.
Conflict may arise in any number of ways:
1) the kids may resist his influence because they feel loyalty to their birth father;
2) their mother may feel he's too hard on her kids, critical of her parenting skills, or unbalanced in his treatment of her kids and his own; or
3) he may feel anger and irritation about his wife being disrespected by her kids or by being snubbed or discounted himself.
Any way you slice it, these circumstances bring about tension in the home and arguments between the couple. Issues like these are common reasons for second marriages falling apart more quickly than first marriages.
Following are some fundamental guidelines for step dads who may be struggling to define their role with their step kids:
1. Keep in mind that your role is to support your partner in parenting as a mentor, coach, or friendly uncle. Take it slowly, and over time, when mutual trust and respect has grown, you may develop a stronger, more active role with everyone's support.
2. Focus on being on the same page as a couple, which means not only loving and respecting each other, but communicating clearly about household responsibilities, family budget, rules of behavior, methods of discipline, and the role you play in defending her decisions. Her assignment is to define limits on behavior and follow through on consequences, and your role is to support her and remind the kids what their mom wants. A weekly Family Meeting is an effective way of establishing behavioral guidelines and getting recurring issues on the table for discussion and resolution.
3. Be aware of unrealistic expectations by reading and learning about what it means to be an effective step dad. And, remember, it takes a lot of time, patience, understanding and sensitivity to help the family move towards mutual affection, trust and connectedness.
4. Consider an enlightening coaching session with a knowledgeable blended-family coach to help the step dad in your family cope with some of the issues and challenges he may be dealing with.
Divorced Dads
Father's Day for many divorced dads may not be a particularly joyous occasion, especially if they are not close to their kids physically or emotionally. There are many reasons why divorced dads feel pushed to the side and are apparently unimportant in their child's lives: geographical distance because of work, remarriage, or divorce poison where the children's mother has carefully alienated the kids from their father with the intention of completely removing him from their lives.
Dads may be disheartened but they should always keep in mind just how important they are as they guide, teach, and show love and support to their kids, even if it is long distance.
Following are some basic guidelines for Divorced Dads:
1.Try to get along with your child's mother for the sake of the children. Come to terms on a visitation schedule and a co-parenting plan. Kids want peace between you so they can enjoy both their parents, without worrying about your specific issues with each other.
2.Kids thrive on structure. Stick to planned phone calls, pick up and drop off schedules and behavioral expectations while at your home.
3. Avoid being Uncle Dad or Disney Dad with non-existent limits, and inconsistent discipline; this teaches the kids to believe you are a peer and best friend and not a responsible parent guiding a child. Uncle Dad parenting results in disrespect, emotional underhandedness, and eventually, kids who develop behavioral issues, since they have no respect for authority.
4. Consider an enlightening professional coaching session with a blended-family counselor who may help you gain new insight on problems that you face.
Father, who is our second God, is responsible for our appearance on this earth and who has given us life to live. He is not only responsible of giving us life but also behind our education, growing up and also for everything which we needed in life. We really need to accept his contributions in making our life better and give a little effort to show him our gratitude towards his presence in our life. What can be a better day to express all our heartiest feelings for our father than Father's Day?
Father's Day is the occasion, on which we get a chance to make our father happy and make him proud on his deeds for his kids. So, start your father's day with something which can lead a smile on his face. Try some handy tips given here to cheer up dad on this special day.
Greetings for Father
Send your father a sensuous message describing your emotions for him. Try message in a bottle for greeting your father. Sending even a simple "I love you dad" message in a bottle will make an impact. Your father will really love your choice of making the morning of his day special. You will not find any other ways to greet your father than wishing him via message in a bottle.
Celebrate With Your Dad
If possible, be with your father for whole day, and try to make him happier than other days. Be a reason of his happiness, along with the greetings message in bottle you can gift him a bottle of vintage wine or something which is as special as your father to make the day more memorable. I bet, he will feel the intense love, and care for him in your heart and that will result more affection between father-child relations.
Finishing up the Father's Day
While greeting your father with message in a bottle, put a plan for whole day celebration along with your greetings. Plan the day properly, after wishing him go for prayers at nearby church and request god for your fathers long, healthy and prosperous life, return with a bunch of favorite flowers of your father and present him. At evening go for a movie or something which your father loves, and make the night memorable with a delicious dinner for your father at a perfect restaurant, or better you cook for him and arrange the dinner at home itself. By this way you can make him feel more special and at last offer him the vintage wine gifted along with the message in a bottle.
Believe me, your father will really cherish the day for his whole life. The bottled message will become memorabilia of this particular day for him, and it will keep him reminding your love, care and affection for him.